Vivian, I want you to know that we truly appreciate all that you have given to this project and I am truly sorry that you are not going to run again. My vote is to wait and let the EC handle the election for SC. Debra Crosby

Well I always keep out of this stuff...I hate the politics of this..... But, I am offended that Debra thinks that it is unprofessional for the GAGENWEB to call its own shots. And it has NOT grown larger than "john spending ten yours transcribing". That is still what makes this work. I am sorry we don't look "professional" to you Debra. Also, comparing this organization to the Red Cross seems a little fer fetched to me. I have been associated with Haralson County for many years and Carroll County for a couple of years. I don't do the website work anymore as Liz Robertson is great at it. I still go to the courthouse several times each month and do lookups of folks in Oregon, California, etc. The folks that get this information seem to think that I am 'professional' enough. Sorry Debra, just my thoughts. Donald Allen Co-coordinator Haralson, Carroll -----Original Message----- From: Debra Crosby [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Sunday, June 05, 2005 9:58 PM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [GAGEN] BIZ SC election Keith, with me I think you may have hit the nail on the head. For years it's been "ok we are a national project but you states do what you want to do". I for one am ready to see this organization be more professional. Every state you go to in the project does everything diffently but all claim to be part of one project. Ok that may have worked in this online unprofessional genealogy world for the past five years but where do we want to be for the future. I want to look professional, part of one major project, not a stand alone state project competing with AGHP and every other pop up organization which cares to go online because they are ticked off with the USGenWeb and decide to start their own sites. And that is happening more than I care to think about. I want to be a one stop shop for researchers giving them everything they need for their county so that they don't have to look for other projects who are doing it better. I want us to become professional, ok we are volunteer yes, but volunteer does not mean that we have to be unprofessional and I can only refer you to the red cross organization to point out that they would never put up with volunteers who did not meet their standards. I'm tired of hearing we are volunteers so we can't expect anything, that is bull*hit, if we can't meet the standards then we have no business volunteering. Believe it or not this project has grown larger than just john donated his 10 hours of transcribing so he deserves to sit on a SC position for 10 years with no question. There are 1000's of volunteers now and each and everyone having expectations that their work/time is included in the big picture. It is up to us to grow into one major project so that every single individual is appreciated and no longer ignored. We can do that only by becoming one single unit, one goal and working towards that goal, even if it means getting rid of the volunteer who holds a position to keep their name on a board but never does a thing toward furthering research. The time is coming that we decide are we one unit/one organization? or are we 50 units with however many counties each unit may have, all individuals doing our own thing in one area, while others do it differently. How many of us have worked up our own county pages, only to go researching in another county and think "oh my god, are they really part of this project"? We are growing at an enormous rate right now, you tell me, do you want to be a member of one group or one member in a group of 50? We as a project have to get our act together, if we continue doing things different in each state, we are going to continue to lose respectability that is a guarantee. I am in agreement for making the USGenWeb stronger and not so much worried about guaranteeing the rights of the GAGenWeb SC, I'll probably get blasted for this but it is my opinion. I want to be part of the USGenWeb and not so much worried about seeing that the GAGenWeb remains separate from that project. Debra Crosby -----Original Message----- From: Keith Giddeon [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 2:19 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [GAGEN] BIZ SC election Debra, What does my argument have to do with what you just stated? States run their own elections all the time. It doesn't make them any less a part of USGenWeb. Ohio was recently denied an election by the EC as well, and they pulled an election off very quickly and with no trouble at all. My points are simple: 1. We were told there would be a one year term. 2. The EC will not favor us with an election until after that term has ended. 3. So, we need to conduct our own election. We can even use out-of-state vote counters to pull it off. Which I think is the usual method for these types of elections. --Keith Debra Crosby wrote: > I think it is time that we consider that we are part of the USGenWeb >and stop thinking that we are just our own separate project. >That has been our problem, thinking we are not part of the Whole. > >Debra > >-----Original Message----- >From: Keith Giddeon [mailto:[email protected]] >Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 1:10 AM >To: [email protected] >Subject: Re: [GAGEN] BIZ SC election > > > >Debra Crosby wrote: > > > >>We have all seen that things that ran "the way we always have in the past" has >>failed us already. >> >> >> >Yes, we have. And not holding an election when it is supposed to be held >is doing things like they were done in the past. It is time we followed >the rules we have set for ourselves. To do anything other than that >starts us down another slippery slope. >If the EC cannot, or will not, hold our election when it is supposed to >be held, then we are obligated to take the bull by the horns and see to >it ourselves. >I truly hope everyone can see the value in holding our election on time. > > > >><snip> >> >> >> >> >> > > >==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== >USGenWeb's motto is - Volunteers dedicated to free, on-line information. > > > > >==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== >GAGenWeb By-Laws Committee Information Web Site: >http://www.rootsweb.com/~gacolqu2/bylaws/ > > > > > > > ==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== USGenWeb's motto is - Volunteers dedicated to free, on-line information. ==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== Confused about Copyrights? Review USGenWeb's policy on copyrights at: http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.html -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 267.4.1 - Release Date: 6/2/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 267.4.1 - Release Date: 6/2/2005

Vivian, I came into this project towards the end of the last administration. I saw a dramatic difference in the overall atmosphere of this list and the coorperation between the difference organizational entities when you took over the helm. From my perspective, since you have been SC the entire project has been a much more rewarding experience. It was a real relief to me to see an end to what I saw as nonsensical bickering and the development of a much more cordial and professional atmosphere. Thank you for the time you have spent getting the project on a much higher road. I'm sure we all know from our work in the business world, that the climate of any organization filters down from the top management. You will be hard to follow. I can only imagine the amount of work that has gone into revamping the project with new p&p, by-laws, etc - and am very grateful to the people who have been willing to give their time to work on these. For whatever it's worth - I think it has been a great year. Beth Gordon and Spalding County GAGenWeb Project

If we adhere to the time schedule set up last year - when would the elections need to be held? Also, when are the other elections supposed to be held? ie: Regional Assistants, etc... Is it reasonable to expect to get a mechanism in place to hold the elections ourselves in a timely manner? I hope I'm not asking the obvious - if it was in an email I missed it. Thanks, Beth Gordon and Spalding County GAGenWeb Project

Debra, What does my argument have to do with what you just stated? States run their own elections all the time. It doesn't make them any less a part of USGenWeb. Ohio was recently denied an election by the EC as well, and they pulled an election off very quickly and with no trouble at all. My points are simple: 1. We were told there would be a one year term. 2. The EC will not favor us with an election until after that term has ended. 3. So, we need to conduct our own election. We can even use out-of-state vote counters to pull it off. Which I think is the usual method for these types of elections. --Keith Debra Crosby wrote: > I think it is time that we consider that we are part of the USGenWeb >and stop thinking that we are just our own separate project. >That has been our problem, thinking we are not part of the Whole. > >Debra > >-----Original Message----- >From: Keith Giddeon [mailto:[email protected]] >Sent: Monday, June 06, 2005 1:10 AM >To: [email protected] >Subject: Re: [GAGEN] BIZ SC election > > > >Debra Crosby wrote: > > > >>We have all seen that things that ran "the way we always have in the past" has >>failed us already. >> >> >> >Yes, we have. And not holding an election when it is supposed to be held >is doing things like they were done in the past. It is time we followed >the rules we have set for ourselves. To do anything other than that >starts us down another slippery slope. >If the EC cannot, or will not, hold our election when it is supposed to >be held, then we are obligated to take the bull by the horns and see to >it ourselves. >I truly hope everyone can see the value in holding our election on time. > > > >><snip> >> >> >> >> >> > > >==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== >USGenWeb's motto is - Volunteers dedicated to free, on-line information. > > > > >==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== >GAGenWeb By-Laws Committee Information Web Site: >http://www.rootsweb.com/~gacolqu2/bylaws/ > > > > > > >

While I certainly agree that we should follow the rules laid down by this organization, I do not see a problem with waiting another month for an election to be handled by the EC. It would appear that the majority of County Coordinators feel the same way and they are the ones who should be making the rules and the decisions. I'm sure that if the EC had been notified a few months in advance, a ballot could have been prepared to run concurrently with the National Elections. I have also served on the EC and I do know what a busy time it is for them. These people are volunteers, giving freely of their time and should be commended for a job well done rather than us being critical of them. I don't think there are to many of us that wish to serve and spend as much time as they do on elections. Maybe as a group we could decide to hold our elections during a month when the EC is not so busy. Just my humble opinion. Jan Cortez ----- Original Message ----- From: "Keith Giddeon" > Lori, > > My comments are merely a truth. No offense was intended. In the past, the > EC has held state elections concurrently with nationals. I see no reason > why it cannot be done now. I know what the EC has to do in this season, I > was on the EC. The SC of a state can simply send verified email addresses > to the EC and Larry can create a form. Very simple indeed. > With that said, however, I feel GA should conduct our own election if that > is too much of a burden to the EC. While I enjoy Vivian's leadership in GA > I feel her term should be one year as the rules stated last year. If I had > been elected as SC last year I would feel the same way. This is not about > personalities at all. It is about following the rules we have put in > place. > > --Keith

Debra Crosby wrote: > We have all seen that things that ran "the way we always have in the past" has >failed us already. > Yes, we have. And not holding an election when it is supposed to be held is doing things like they were done in the past. It is time we followed the rules we have set for ourselves. To do anything other than that starts us down another slippery slope. If the EC cannot, or will not, hold our election when it is supposed to be held, then we are obligated to take the bull by the horns and see to it ourselves. I truly hope everyone can see the value in holding our election on time. ><snip> > > >

Lori, My comments are merely a truth. No offense was intended. In the past, the EC has held state elections concurrently with nationals. I see no reason why it cannot be done now. I know what the EC has to do in this season, I was on the EC. The SC of a state can simply send verified email addresses to the EC and Larry can create a form. Very simple indeed. With that said, however, I feel GA should conduct our own election if that is too much of a burden to the EC. While I enjoy Vivian's leadership in GA I feel her term should be one year as the rules stated last year. If I had been elected as SC last year I would feel the same way. This is not about personalities at all. It is about following the rules we have put in place. --Keith Lori Thornton wrote: >Keith (and all): > >It really is not a problem for the Election Committee >to do an election; however, we are in the midst of our >busiest season. Holding a state election in the midst >of the national election would require all members of >the Election Committee who are also members of >GAGenWeb to be unavailable to do their work on the >national election as we would have to be unsubscribed >from our EC list. Once the national election is over, >there will be no difficulty. I am personally offended >by your remarks! > >Lori Thornton >Franklin and Telfair Counties >AND Election Committee Member > >--- Keith Giddeon <[email protected]> wrote: > > > >>Hi Vivian, >>I hate to be the Lone Wolf, but here goes... >> >>You know it never USED to be a problem for the EC to >>do state elections >>at the same time as nationals. I guess the new crew >>is a bit overwhelmed >>by its duties. I don't see why we can't hold an >>election ourselves >>since its such a daunting task for the EC. I'm sure >>we can find some >>fine vols in GA and a couple of out-of-state vols >>for vote counting. You >>have done an outstanding job as SC, and the Lord >>knows I'd sure like to >>see you run again, but many of us fought to get an >>election with the old >>administration and our last election stated a one >>year term of office. I >>think it should be one year for the sake of keeping >>with the rules we >>set forth last year. Tweaking a rule here and there >>is what got us where >>we were with the last administration. >>Since I don't plan to run, I'd be happy to volunteer >>to do anything to >>help an election go forward. Vote counting, form >>building, verifying >>email addresses etc. >> >>Also, I would like to see a few CCs in GA begin >>working on our own >>voting software so we don't have to burden the EC >>with our requests in >>the future. (I can do some PHP programming and know >>others who can help. >>I suspect we could do some testing in less than one >>year.) >> >>--Keith >> >>Michael and Vivian Saffold wrote: >> >> >> >>>It is time to elect a new state coordinator for >>> >>> >>the GAGenWeb Project. >> >> >>>Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as SC, >>> >>> >>for job-related >> >> >>>reasons, I will not run for re-election. >>> >>>I took office on 1 August 2004 for an interim >>> >>> >>one-year term. We >> >> >>>anticipated that an election for state coordinator >>> >>> >>could be held along >> >> >>>with the USGenWeb elections this year. However, >>> >>> >>the Elections >> >> >>>Committee tells me it cannot accommodate us at >>> >>> >>this time, but would be >> >> >>>able to do so after the national elections. >>> >>>I need to hear from you on what you would like to >>> >>> >>do: conduct the >> >> >>>election ourselves or wait for the EC. Please let >>> >>> >>me know which you >> >> >>>would prefer. >>> >>>Thanks, >>> >>>Vivian >>> >>> >>> >>>==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== >>>GAGenWeb By-Laws Committee Information Web Site: >>>http://www.rootsweb.com/~gacolqu2/bylaws/ >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== >>Confused about Copyrights? Review USGenWeb's policy >>on copyrights at: >> http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.html >> >> >> >> > > >Lori Thornton >[email protected] > > > >__________________________________ >Discover Yahoo! >Get on-the-go sports scores, stock quotes, news and more. Check it out! >http://discover.yahoo.com/mobile.html > > >==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== >Confused about Copyrights? Review USGenWeb's policy on copyrights at: > http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.html > > > > > > >

Keith (and all): It really is not a problem for the Election Committee to do an election; however, we are in the midst of our busiest season. Holding a state election in the midst of the national election would require all members of the Election Committee who are also members of GAGenWeb to be unavailable to do their work on the national election as we would have to be unsubscribed from our EC list. Once the national election is over, there will be no difficulty. I am personally offended by your remarks! Lori Thornton Franklin and Telfair Counties AND Election Committee Member --- Keith Giddeon <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi Vivian, > I hate to be the Lone Wolf, but here goes... > > You know it never USED to be a problem for the EC to > do state elections > at the same time as nationals. I guess the new crew > is a bit overwhelmed > by its duties. I don't see why we can't hold an > election ourselves > since its such a daunting task for the EC. I'm sure > we can find some > fine vols in GA and a couple of out-of-state vols > for vote counting. You > have done an outstanding job as SC, and the Lord > knows I'd sure like to > see you run again, but many of us fought to get an > election with the old > administration and our last election stated a one > year term of office. I > think it should be one year for the sake of keeping > with the rules we > set forth last year. Tweaking a rule here and there > is what got us where > we were with the last administration. > Since I don't plan to run, I'd be happy to volunteer > to do anything to > help an election go forward. Vote counting, form > building, verifying > email addresses etc. > > Also, I would like to see a few CCs in GA begin > working on our own > voting software so we don't have to burden the EC > with our requests in > the future. (I can do some PHP programming and know > others who can help. > I suspect we could do some testing in less than one > year.) > > --Keith > > Michael and Vivian Saffold wrote: > > > It is time to elect a new state coordinator for > the GAGenWeb Project. > > Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as SC, > for job-related > > reasons, I will not run for re-election. > > > > I took office on 1 August 2004 for an interim > one-year term. We > > anticipated that an election for state coordinator > could be held along > > with the USGenWeb elections this year. However, > the Elections > > Committee tells me it cannot accommodate us at > this time, but would be > > able to do so after the national elections. > > > > I need to hear from you on what you would like to > do: conduct the > > election ourselves or wait for the EC. Please let > me know which you > > would prefer. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Vivian > > > > > > > > ==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== > > GAGenWeb By-Laws Committee Information Web Site: > > http://www.rootsweb.com/~gacolqu2/bylaws/ > > > > > > > > > > > > > ==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== > Confused about Copyrights? Review USGenWeb's policy > on copyrights at: > http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.html > > Lori Thornton [email protected] __________________________________ Discover Yahoo! Get on-the-go sports scores, stock quotes, news and more. Check it out! http://discover.yahoo.com/mobile.html

I am going to make some comments here. They just are my opinion. NOT to hold an election in a timely manner defeats what we were all working for. I like Vivian and would be glad to nominate her if she wanted to run again. It has been a pleasant year. We have operated for one year with no rules and only one bylaw in place. Our Regional Assistants have to be re-elected also. I don't know their term limits. Why can't we nominate and hold our election by a Roll Call vote? I have belonged to many organizations where officers have been nominated from the floor and voted in by a show of hands.

Keith, I read your response with interest. I seem to remember that Joy and I may have looked at putting some polling software (or script) on my server for some of the transitional business of GAGenWeb. Certainly Joy would be a good one for that project, if it comes to pass! (I am sure she's just beaming that I would volunteer her for something!) And I would volunteer to work with you on such a project also. With all due respect, however...since our new byLaws are not in place yet, I feel that we might be better served with EC handling our election this term. In my own mind, getting our own organizational structure in place seems to be more of a priority than to build a voting mechanism. Sylvia

Hi Vivian, I hate to be the Lone Wolf, but here goes... You know it never USED to be a problem for the EC to do state elections at the same time as nationals. I guess the new crew is a bit overwhelmed by its duties. I don't see why we can't hold an election ourselves since its such a daunting task for the EC. I'm sure we can find some fine vols in GA and a couple of out-of-state vols for vote counting. You have done an outstanding job as SC, and the Lord knows I'd sure like to see you run again, but many of us fought to get an election with the old administration and our last election stated a one year term of office. I think it should be one year for the sake of keeping with the rules we set forth last year. Tweaking a rule here and there is what got us where we were with the last administration. Since I don't plan to run, I'd be happy to volunteer to do anything to help an election go forward. Vote counting, form building, verifying email addresses etc. Also, I would like to see a few CCs in GA begin working on our own voting software so we don't have to burden the EC with our requests in the future. (I can do some PHP programming and know others who can help. I suspect we could do some testing in less than one year.) --Keith Michael and Vivian Saffold wrote: > It is time to elect a new state coordinator for the GAGenWeb Project. > Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as SC, for job-related > reasons, I will not run for re-election. > > I took office on 1 August 2004 for an interim one-year term. We > anticipated that an election for state coordinator could be held along > with the USGenWeb elections this year. However, the Elections > Committee tells me it cannot accommodate us at this time, but would be > able to do so after the national elections. > > I need to hear from you on what you would like to do: conduct the > election ourselves or wait for the EC. Please let me know which you > would prefer. > > Thanks, > > Vivian > > > > ==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== > GAGenWeb By-Laws Committee Information Web Site: > http://www.rootsweb.com/~gacolqu2/bylaws/ > > > > >

At 03:26 PM 6/4/2005, Virginia wrote: >Don't suppose the By-Laws Committee could also finish up, and have it on >the same ballot? Maybe Jacki could update us on the next steps, and if >this is even feasible. I posted the latest proposals back in March and asked for feedback. Many thanks to those of you who have provided it, whether it be on this list, the message board, or personal email. We are still accepting feedback and ideas! My apologies to all of you for the slowdown this spring -- work was extremely demanding, and then my family has had serious health issues. Things have eased off a bit and maybe we can finish these off in time for the election, if we choose to let the EC handle it after the national elections. If the EC is willing to do so, and y'all would like it that way, that is. Jacki

I think it would be easiest to wait and let those that handle elections to do it over us trying to come up with a fair way to hold it ourselves. Ed

I agree with everyone else who has posted so far, in that we should let the USGenWeb Election Committee handle the Georgia SC election after the national elections. Bob Franks Liberty County >From: Michael and Vivian Saffold <[email protected]> >Reply-To: [email protected] >To: [email protected] >Subject: [GAGEN] BIZ SC election >Date: Sat, 04 Jun 2005 07:56:12 -0400 > >It is time to elect a new state coordinator for the GAGenWeb Project. >Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as SC, for job-related reasons, >I will not run for re-election. > >I took office on 1 August 2004 for an interim one-year term. We anticipated >that an election for state coordinator could be held along with the >USGenWeb elections this year. However, the Elections Committee tells me it >cannot accommodate us at this time, but would be able to do so after the >national elections. > >I need to hear from you on what you would like to do: conduct the election >ourselves or wait for the EC. Please let me know which you would prefer. > >Thanks, > >Vivian > > > >==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== >GAGenWeb By-Laws Committee Information Web Site: >http://www.rootsweb.com/~gacolqu2/bylaws/ >

Thank you Vivian for making this past year a very productive and peaceful one. Naturally, I must say that you will be a hard act to follow, but, I do understand your reasons for stepping down. I'm sure that we have some very good people in the GAGenWeb willing to follow in your footsteps and keep us on an even keel. I believe that we should wait until after the National Elections and let the EC handle the GA SC Election. Jan ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael and Vivian Saffold" > It is time to elect a new state coordinator for the GAGenWeb Project. > Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as SC, for job-related reasons, > I will not run for re-election. > > I took office on 1 August 2004 for an interim one-year term. We > anticipated that an election for state coordinator could be held along > with the USGenWeb elections this year. However, the Elections Committee > tells me it cannot accommodate us at this time, but would be able to do so > after the national elections. > > I need to hear from you on what you would like to do: conduct the election > ourselves or wait for the EC. Please let me know which you would prefer. > > Thanks, > > Vivian > > > > ==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== > GAGenWeb By-Laws Committee Information Web Site: > http://www.rootsweb.com/~gacolqu2/bylaws/ >

I also say lets wait. Howard ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael and Vivian Saffold" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Saturday, June 04, 2005 7:56 AM Subject: [GAGEN] BIZ SC election

I think it would be good to wait until after the National Elections.

snip I took office on 1 August 2004 for an interim one-year term. We anticipated that an election for state coordinator could be held along with the USGenWeb elections this year. However, the Elections Committee tells me it cannot accommodate us at this time, but would be able to do so after the national elections. snip not that I don't trust us, but I would wait until after the national elections. It will put the change into the early fall. But Vivian if you don't mind serving a little longer, I think that it might be best to wait and do our switch after summer and the National Elections are over. It is too much for you to continue, perhaps the ASC can continue until the election. Deborah Byrd

Thank you, Vivian, for a job well done! It has meant so much to all of us to have you at the helm this year. (Hard to believe -- the time whizzed by!) I favor waiting for the Election Committee . Don't suppose the By-Laws Committee could also finish up, and have it on the same ballot? Maybe Jacki could update us on the next steps, and if this is even feasible. Virginia At 07:56 AM 6/4/2005 -0400, you wrote: >It is time to elect a new state coordinator for the GAGenWeb Project. >Although I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as SC, for job-related reasons, >I will not run for re-election. > >I took office on 1 August 2004 for an interim one-year term. We >anticipated that an election for state coordinator could be held along >with the USGenWeb elections this year. However, the Elections Committee >tells me it cannot accommodate us at this time, but would be able to do so >after the national elections. > >I need to hear from you on what you would like to do: conduct the election >ourselves or wait for the EC. Please let me know which you would prefer. > >Thanks, > >Vivian > > > >==== GAGEN Mailing List ==== >GAGenWeb By-Laws Committee Information Web Site: >http://www.rootsweb.com/~gacolqu2/bylaws/ >